This guy had been following her since morning for no reason, calling her "master" nonstop. Honestly, Allen was so fed up she wanted to stab him with her spear. But she couldn't—he was no match for Ken's Frenzy. The more she thought about it, the more her head ached. Before she knew it, they were nearing the forest's edge. If things went as predicted, they'd reach Lester City by the next morning.

"How many times do I have to say it! My name is Ken! Not 'kid'! And, master, what's your name?" the boy complained, staring at the girl's braided pigtails.

Ken knew he'd annoyed Allen all day. Any normal person would've beaten him up by now. But he didn't understand why she hadn't. Anyway, he'd already decided Allen was his master.

"My name is Allen! And stop following me!" Allen roared.

"But master! I—" Ken ignored her.

"I'll fight you to the death!!" Allen shouted furiously, her eyes glowing crimson...

Ken had wisely brought a longsword. Every time Allen raised her spear, he deftly blocked it. Since Allen was injured, her thrusts weren't very fast.

"Damn it... damn it! Ugh... ugh..." Exhausted from Ken's antics, unable to drive him off or win a fight, Allen simply sat on the ground and started crying.

"Eh... Master, don't cry! I'm sorry..." Ken slowly walked over and sat beside her.

Ken saw Allen clutching her spear, knees drawn up, face buried in her thighs. She trembled slightly, as if deeply wronged. Her sobs were choked, as she forced herself to hold back.

"Master?" Ken asked, puzzled.

Allen didn't reply. She lifted her face, glaring fiercely at Ken, though her eyes shimmered with tears. At that moment, Ken felt the girl looked like a little rabbit—white hair, crimson eyes—truly adorable. He raised his hand and gently stroked her head.

Allen froze for a moment, feeling the soft touch. Her heart melted like butter in the heat.

"Wah... waaah..." Allen burst into loud sobs.

In Demon Castle, she'd suffered too much. Not wanting Lilith and Luna to find out, she'd bottled it all up. Over time, like an overfilled balloon, it finally burst.

Ken seemed to understand. He kept stroking her head, listening to her cries.

After a long while, Allen slowly stood, leaning on her spear, and walked step by step. Ken followed quietly, without his earlier noise...

Night fell. Allen found a rocky cave. Inside, she spread gathered branches and dry grass. Then she used a fire crystal core from her pocket to start a fire. Outside, heavy snow began to fall. Ken didn't want to disturb her. He sat at the cave entrance, watching the snow, thinking of his father, and felt a pang of sadness...

Allen realized leaving him outside might freeze him to death. So she decided to let him in.

"Hey! You out there! You... come in!" Allen called carelessly, but her eyes secretly watched the boy.

Frankly... she was just tsundere.

"Eh... okay, okay..." Ken agreed without hesitation.

Outside, wind-driven snowflakes swirled in pure white shapes. Allen blocked the cave entrance with snow to keep out the cold, leaving a small hole for air and observation. She sat by the hole, gazing at the snowscape.

Ken, perhaps thinking of his father, fell asleep against the far wall. Allen noticed his thin clothes and worried. She took off her robe, used its ropes to reconfigure it, and soon turned it into a blanket.

Clumsily, she draped it over Ken, then stared indifferently at the snow. But fatigue quickly overcame her, and she fell asleep.

"Huu... huu... huu..." Steady breathing filled the cave.

Having someone beside her made her sleep soundly. Before, nights were filled with fear—of Lilith, Luna, beasts, bandits... Now, she felt secure.

Ken glanced at Allen, saw she was asleep, and quietly covered her with the blanket. Wearing only a shirt in winter was reckless. What puzzled him was the collar around her neck.

Though Allen slept peacefully, Ken stayed restless. How could he sleep easily with a girl nearby? Besides, his Frenzy-awakened body could handle days without rest.

Bored, he chiseled a hole, slipped out quietly, and sealed it with snow.

"I'll give her a surprise," Ken muttered.

The next day, Allen woke and looked around. Oh no! I overslept! she thought.

"Kid?! Kid?" Allen called. The small cave held no one...

So yesterday's events scared him off after all?...

She jabbed the snow pile with her spear. Opening it, she froze at the sight...

"What are you doing?!!" Allen asked in shock.

Ken was roasting a massive wild boar—twice his size. With no grill, he'd impaled it on a stick and rotated it over flames. Allen's mouth twitched. Ken didn't seem to care.

"Master! It's almost ready! Come eat!" Ken called cheerfully.

Before long...

"Delicious! Ken, I didn't expect you to be useful after all!" Allen exclaimed.

Inside the boar, deodorizing fruits made the meat tangy-sweet. Outside, dragon's tongue grass—a common forest herb with a salty taste used as seasoning—added flavor. The whole thing was incredibly tasty. For Allen, half-starved for days, it was a godsend!

"Of course~ I'm way better than a spoiled young lady like you~" Ken blurted out.

"Ah... maybe..." Allen said gloomily.

The collar around her neck reminded her: she wasn't even a commoner... Just a slave. A runaway slave...

Ken noticed her expression and fell silent...

After eating, Ken took out oil leaves—grease-absorbing foliage. He wrapped pork pieces in them and tucked them into a hemp-grass bag he'd prepared last night.

Allen watched his busywork, confused.

"For the road," Ken explained.

Everything ready, he extinguished the fire. Ken patted his shoulder.

"Hop on! You're injured. I'll carry you—it's faster."

"I don't need you... Wah!" Allen yelped.

He lifted her up and slung her over his shoulder.

"Don't be willful. It's for your good," Ken said.

"..." Allen stayed silent.

Allen wasn't heavy for Ken. Honestly, her height—even with shoes—barely reached 160 cm, with a slender, almost sickly grace. To Ken, empowered by Frenzy, she felt as light as a baby.

That afternoon, two new faces arrived in Lester City: Ken and Allen.

"We're here!"

"We're here!" they shouted together. They'd reached Lester City—a beastman-human mixed town at the empire's northern edge.

The bustling streets moved Allen. Ken gaped around, wide-eyed like a country bumpkin.

A grand event seemed underway. Stalls sold fireworks and endless snacks. Every house hung red-and-green decorations...

Allen thought carefully, then remembered. This scene, in deep winter, could only mean the annual Ice Festival.

"Master? What are they doing?" Ken asked, puzzled.

"The Ice Festival. Doesn't your village celebrate it?"

"Never have," Ken replied.

"Um, Ken, can you put me down?" Allen asked, noticing passersby's odd stares.

Ken understood. He looked at her.

"Okay."

"Let's find an inn. We'll go out to play tonight," Allen suggested.

"Ah... okay," Ken replied.

The two began searching for an inn.